Nothing can influence us more than other people. The spread of opinions, knowledge and even diseases will easily teach us what is right and what is wrong. However, what we humans teach is not always “right.” We are taught that we are the better species. We are taught that we are bigger, better, and stronger than anything else that walks this Earth. We are taught that we are always right and anything else is always wrong. Yet, there is something in each of us that tells us without a doubt that we are no better, if not inferior, than what has long been here before us. Our instinct is often not to kill, but to admire. Some part of what is inside our brain wants to absorb all nature and wildlife, immerse it and allow it to remain intact. Even so, we are not troubled. No matter how involved we are in the natural world, another part of us cries out to destroy, to reinforce our superiority. And doesn't this voice scare us? "Snake" by D.H. Lawrence portrays a poet's admiration for nature, struggle with society, and fear of himself as he loses his chance with one of the Lords of Life. Our entire lives, we are taught that not only are we the best, but that everything else is the worst. If it is not a human being, it is dangerous and must be destroyed. The poet in “Snake” begins his experience with the snake quite peacefully, but it soon turns against him. Everything the poet had been taught told him that nothing is more dangerous than a yellow-bellied snake and that he should completely exterminate the animal. He refers to a time in Sicily, when he was taught this very thing. On a Sicilian day in July, with Etna smoking. The voice of my education told me that it must be killed, Because in Sicily there are black, black snakes. .....half of the paper...." (Lawrence 51-53). The use of the word “overcome” solidifies his lack of control and only reinforces evidence of the fear he must have of himself. How can you live with yourself after showing such blatant disrespect. The poet begins with honor and dignity, allowing the snake to drink first and admiring its beauty, and ends with despair, remorse, and fear of himself. DH Lawrence expresses the poet's clear internal conflict in this poem. He cannot decide, through poetry, whether or not to be a man, or himself. “Snake” forces readers to think about where they have been and how they have behaved. This poem leaves us all with a powerful question: How afraid are you of yourself? Works Cited Nicole. An Analysis of Snake, by DH Lawrence. np, January 30, 2011. Web. May 12. 2014.Waliyullah. Snake by DH Lawrence. np, 27 October 2009. Web. 12 May 2014.